3. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of the session, the participants should be able to;
ï” Define pneumonia
ï” Differentiate between the various types of pneumonia
ï” State the causes of pneumonia
ï” Discuss the signs and symptoms of pneumonia
ï” Explain the conservative management of Pneumonia
ï” Outline the treatment of patient with pneumonia based on
nursing process approach
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5. INTRODUCTION
ï” Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung parenchyma that is commonly
caused by a microbial agent.
ï” âPneumonitisâ is a more general term that describes an inflammatory
process in the lung tissue that may predispose a patient to or place a
patient at risk for microbial invasion.
ï” Pneumonia is the most common cause of infectious death in children
worldwide and also the most serious for people older than 65 years and
people with health problems or weaken immune system.
ï” It is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States for all ages
and both genders, resulting in almost 70,000 deaths per year.
ï” In persons 65 years of age and older, it is the fifth leading cause of death
(National Centre for Health Statistics, 2000; Minino & Smith, 2001).
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6. INTRODUCTION Cont.
ï” Although it is usually associated with an acute infection,
pneumonia can also result from radiation therapy, chemical
ingestion or inhalation, or aspiration of foreign bodies or gastric
contents.
ï” It is characterized by cough, fever, headache, chest pain, shortness
of breath, sweating, tachycardia, greyish sputum etc.
ï” Pneumonia caused by infectious agent are mostly contagious
either by direct or indirect contact with an infected person.
ï” Pneumonia is the cause of more than 10% of hospital admissions
each year and is the most common cause of death from infection.
ï” It is treated extensively on both an inpatient and outpatient basis.
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7. DEFINITION
ï” Pneumonia can be defined as an inflammation of the lung
parenchyma that is commonly caused by a microbial agent
(bacteria, viruses and fungi).
ï” Pneumonia is an inflammatory process affecting the
bronchioles and alveoli usually associated with an acute
infection but can also result from radiation therapy,
chemical ingestion or inhalation, or aspiration of foreign
bodies or gastric contents (American Lung Association,
2007).
ï” It is inflammatory condition of the lung most commonly
due to an infection affecting primarily the microscopic air
sac known as the alveoli.
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8. CLASSIFICATIONS/TYPES
Pneumonia can be classified based on the following;
ï” Causative factors â bacterial pneumonia, viral pneumonia,
fungal pneumonia, chemical pneumonia
ï” Area of the lung affected â bronchopneumonia & lobar
pneumonia
ï” Where or how it was acquired â hospital acquired
pneumonia, community acquired pneumonia, ventilator-
associated pneumonia, aspiration pneumonia, walking
pneumonia, hypostatic pneumonia.
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9. TYPES OF PNEUMONIA
ï” BACTERIAL PNEUMONIA â this is the type of pneumonia caused by bacteria.
The common bacteria is Streptococcus pneumoniae; also called
pneumococcal pneumonia. This organism accounts for approximately 90% of
all bacterial pneumonias. It is the most common cause of community-
acquired pneumonia, Other bacteria include Staphylococcus aureus,
Mycoplasmapneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
among others.
ï” VIRAL PNEUMONIA â this is the type of pneumonia caused by viruses.
Influenza viruses are the most common cause of viral pneumonia. The
presence of viral pneumonia increases the patientâs susceptibility to a
secondary bacterial pneumonia.
ï” FUNGAL PNEUMONIA â is the type of pneumonia caused by fungi. Candida
and Aspergillus are two types of fungi that can cause pneumonia.
Pneumocystis carinii is a fungus that typically causes pneumonia in patients
with AIDS.
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10. TYPES OF PNEUMONIA cont.
ï” ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA â is the type of pneumonia caused by
aspiration of foreign substances. This most often occurs in patients with
decreased levels of consciousness or an impaired cough or gag reflex. This
condition can occur with alcohol ingestion, stroke, general anesthesia,
seizures, or other serious illness. Aspiration pneumonia increases the risk
for subsequent bacterial pneumonia.
ï” VENTILATORâASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA - A type of aspiration
pneumonia, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), develops in patients
who are intubated and mechanically ventilated. The endotracheal tube
keeps the glottis open, so secretions can be aspirated in to the lungs.
ï” HYPOSTATIC PNEUMONIA - Patients who hypo ventilate because of bed
rest, immobility, or shallow respirations are at risk for hypostatic
pneumonia. Secretions pool in dependent areas of the lungs and can lead
to inflammation and infection.
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11. TYPES OF PNEUMONIA cont.
ï” COMMUNITY ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA - This develop on
people with limited or no contact with medical institutions or
settings. It occurs either in the community setting or in the first
48 hours after institutionalization
ï” HOSPITAL ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA - This develops typically
after about 2days or more of hospitalization and does not
appear to be incubating at the time of admission.
ï” PNEUMONIA IN THE IMMONOCOMPROMISED PEOPLE - This
occur in people whose immune system is weakened for
example by AIDS, organ transplantation, use of certain drugs
such as corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents,
chemotherapy, nutritional depletion etc.
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12. TYPES OF PNEUMONIA cont.
ï” CHEMICAL PNEUMONIA â this type of pneumonia
occur due to Inhalation of toxic chemicals into the lung
causing inflammation and tissue damage in the lungs.
ï” BRONCHOPNEUMONIA â is the type of pneumonia
that can affect areas throughout both lungs. Itâs often
localized close to or around the bronchi.
ï” LOBAR PNEUMONIA â is the type of pneumonia that
affects one or more lobes of the lungs. Each lung is
made of lobes, which are defined sections of the lung.
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13. CAUSES/RISK FACTOR
The causative factors for pneumonia are mainly microbial organisms;
ï” Bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumonia, Mycoplasma pneumonia,
Haemophilus influenza & Legionella pneumophila
ï” Viruses such as nfluenza (flu), rhinoviruses (common cold), human
parainfluenza virus (HPIV) human metapneumovirus (HMPV), SARS-CoV-2
infection (the virus that causes COVID-19)
ï” Fungi such as candida, aspergillus, Pneumocystis jirovecii, Cryptococcus
species, Histoplasmosis species.
Other causes include but not limited
ï” Irritants/foreign bodies
ï” Chemicals
ï” Aspiration
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14. RISK FACTORS
ï” Anyone can get pneumonia, but some people are at higher risk than
others. Some of the risk factor include the following;
ï” Cigarrete smoking
ï” Alcohol abuse
ï” Infants and aged
ï” Recent viral respiratory infections such common cold, influenza,
laryngitis etc.
ï” Chronic lung disease such COPD, Bronchiectasis, asthma etc
ï” Cerebral palsy
ï” Dysphagia due to neurological conditions
ï” Malnutrition etc
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15. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
ï” Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by various micro-
organism and or other causative factors.
ï” It arises from patients whose resistance has been altered or from aspiration of
flora present in oropharynx or from blood borne organism that enter
pulmonary circulation and are trapped.
ï” Once the organism or particles enters the lungs, an inflammatory reaction
occur in the alveoli producing fever.
ï” The irritation of the pleura following the inflammatory reaction produces
chest pain and exudate formation that interferes with the diffusion of oxygen
and carbon-dioxide causing difficulty in breathing.
ï” The presence of exudate and mucus interfere with gaseous exchange and
triggers the cough reflex causing constant coughing.
ï” If treatment is not instituted empyema, septicaemia, pleural effusion and
atelectasis may occur as complications.
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16. CLINICAL MANIFESTATION
Although symptoms may vary greatly depending on the presence
of other underlying condition, common symptoms include;
ï” Cough
ï” Fever
ï” Shortness of breath
ï” Chest pain (pleuritis pain)
ï” Nausea and vomiting
ï” Sweating/diaphoresis
ï” Tachycardia
ï” Fatigue
ï” Headache
ï” Muscle pain
ï” Purulent sputum
ï” Anorexia
ï” Tachypnoea
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18. DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION
ï” History taking
ï” Physical examination â Ausculation will reveal
crepitation, percussion will reveal dullness in the
affected part.
ï” Sputum and blood culture to identify the causative
organism
ï” Pleural fluid test
ï” Chest X-ray to reveal the area of consolidation
ï” Pulse oximetry
ï” Bronchoscopy
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20. CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT
The aim of the conservative management is
to relief symptoms, promote healing and
prevent complications. The conservative
management is categorized into:
ï”Home remedy
ï”Medical/pharmacologic management
ï”Nursing management
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21. Home remedy
ï” Although home remedies donât actually treat pneumonia, there are some
things you can do to help ease symptoms.
ï” Coughing is one of the most common symptoms of pneumonia, Natural
ways to relieve a cough include gargling salt water or drinking
peppermint tea or honey with hot water.
ï” Steam inhalation reduces congestion
ï” Drinking warm water or having a nice warm bowl of soup can help with
chills.
ï” You can help your recovery and prevent a recurrence by getting a lot of
rest and drinking plenty of fluids.
ï” Although home remedies can help ease symptoms, itâs important to stick
to your treatment plan. Take any prescribed medications as directed.
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22. Medical treatment
ï” Antibiotics â the choice of antibiotics depend on the result of
the sensitivity test. Common group used are penicillins such as
ampicillin, amoxicillin, augumentin, xtaphen etc others include
streptomycin, septrin and chloramphenicol.
ï” Analgesics â paracetamol, aspirin, chymoral are used to relief
pain and pyrexia
ï” Cough syrups/expectorant â Benylin cough mixtures
ï” Vitamins â vitamin C and B complex are used as adjuvant
therapy
ï” Iv fluid therapy to replace fluid loss in severe cases
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23. Nursing management
ï” Encourage the patient to adhere to the medication regimen
ï” Rest should be advocated especially during the acute phase of
the disease.
ï” Reducing stress requires physical and psychological
modifications
ï” Help patient identify and manage stressful situations
ï” Admitting patient in fowlarâs position promote lung expansion
ï” Biofeedback or behavior modification may be helpful
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24. Nursing management cont.
ï”Strongly encouraged to stop smoking
ï”High nourishing diet
ï”Maintaining fluid intake and output balance
chart
ï”Providing passive and active exercise
including breathing exercise is essential
ï”Oxygen administration in severe cases is
also helpful
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25. NURSING DIAGNOSIS
ï” Ineffective breathing pattern r/t alveolar congestion aeb patient
difficulty in breathing and respiratory circle of 10c/m
ï” Acute pain (chest pain) r/t pleural irritation or inflammatory
process aeb patient verbalization
ï” Hyperthermia r/t inflammatory process aeb temperature
reading 39 decree celcius
ï” Deficient fluid volume r/t vomiting aeb loss of skin turgor
ï” Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements r/t nausea &
vomiting aeb weight loss
ï” Anxiety r/t unknown disease prognosis aeb patientâs
verbalisation/asking questions
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27. PREVENTION OF RECURRENCE
ï” A number of steps can be taken to help prevent getting
pneumonia include;
ï” Adheres to treatment regimen
ï” Stop smoking
ï” Avoid respiratory infections
ï” Regular hand hygiene
ï” Avoid extreme exposure to cold
ï” Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) where available
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